beyond afghanistan and iraq, the u.s. faces as i said a multitude of other strategic and institution no, ma'am -- institutional challenges. we must reset a stressed force. we must repair for emerging threats, cyberattackers, nuclear proliferation, rising powers, that will demand that we work towards greater transparency and better diplomacy. and we must do all that we can so that we recognize that in in effort, we do not have a blank check from the american people. that we will face the fiscal challenges that confront us, but we will do it in a way that maintains the strength of our country. based on my long experience in government and in working with budgets, i, believe that we do not have to make a choice between fiscal discipline and national security. by setting priorities, based on sound strategy, based on good policy, we can focus a strong and innovative defense policy that confronts the future. and dealing with the threat that is we are face in the future. and that focuses resources that we need at those threats o